Letters: May 26, 2014

This initiative by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi will have very big impact on the development of the two countries (‘Nawaz Sharif to attend Narendra Modi’s inauguration,’ Gulf News, May 24). Both are spending great sums on defence due to hostility and terrorist attacks. The money that India and Pakistan spend on security from each other should start to go towards the poor in rural areas. Many do not have three meals a day in many villages in both countries. Between education and the need for road and hospital infrastructure that badly need work due to the scarcity of funds, it could be highly beneficial. I pray for a better future. Education for people in both countries, a push for terrorists behind bars and for the military to have less of a voice in socio-political decisions. Good relations will bring more housing and education, reduce the number of deaths throughout winter months and at the same time, not limit the availability of modern health facilities. We need to support the cooperation of the governments instead of finding reasons to spoil relations.

From Mr Sunil

Dubai

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Double standard

If non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) voters talk about Pakistan, they are labelled anti-nationals, but if the BJP supporters say anything, they are called peace lovers. I don’t want to sound pessimistic, but this is the fact. During the elections and through out his life we know what kind of language Narendra Modi used against Pakistan and now he is trying to be a saint. This is the real face of politics.

From Mr Mohammad

Dubai

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Change for prosperity

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries must maintain good relations with each other, especially regarding trade, the economy and military. This is for our own betterment. Prosperity starts when peace prevails. In India, have good resources, but a bad political environment that hampers our growth. Let’s change things.

From Ms Rama Moorthy

Dubai

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Good start

It’s the first step but a great development! By co-existing, fostering friendly relations and developing together is a good step. India and Pakistan, as well other regional countries working together is the only way forward. Otherwise, they’ll keep wasting resources on defense. I think, in today’s world, only economic relations make us more committed and trustworthy. It’s a dream.

From Mr Mohammad Naeem

Sialkot, Pakistan

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Political drama

Good move, but if this invitation was made by the Congress party, it could have been taken as being ‘anti-nationalist’ and then the BJP would have been barred or boycotted by Pakistan. This is the drama the BJP unfolds - fake nationalism.

From Mr A. J.

Dubai

Full name withheld by request

We are alike

It’s a great sign. I hope it stays the same. We speak the same language, eat the same food, and even look the same. So why the need for all these differences? I have so many Pakistani friends who cannot travel to India or vice-versa due to political restrictions. Hopefully things change!

From Ms Srish Chopra Dsouza

UAE

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Eyes on the roads

I would like to suggest to the authorities that the public be given permission to report traffic offences. Pedestrians who are waiting to cross the road or who are around where drivers break traffic rules should be able to report it to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) with the vehicle’s licence plate number, location, time and date. If possible, people should be able to send pictures too. I see so many people talking on the phone, messaging with both hands off the steering wheel. On Al Khail Road, I have seen a man reading a book while driving and a woman driving with the sun shade covering more than half of the windshield. There are also incidents where children are in the front passenger seat, on drivers’ laps, or unbuckled in the backseat — even standing and jumping around. This is atrocious! If the public were allowed to report about such issues, there would always be a notion in the minds of motorists that they are being watched.

From Mr Sailakshmi Deepak

UAE

Take responsibility

Drivers must be aware that if they take students in their car, they should be the ones to get out from the vehicle first, open the car door for them, and see to it that the students reach the entrance of the school’s gate, prior to leaving (‘Girl, 10, killed by family car in Bahrain,’ Gulf News, May 21). That’s the proper way to be a driver when dropping off children at school.

From Mr Francis Daliva

Abu Dhabi

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Simple steps

Always make it a point when you get down from your car, or any other vehicle, to always walk past the front of the car as opposed to the back — so that the driver can see you and is not in a hurry to drop you off and carry on.

From Ms Sneha Venugopal Goud

Dubai

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Educate people

I would like to suggest that authorities make special presentations during these days as a chance to educate the public on the occasion (‘UAE residents explore spiritual significance of Isra Wal Meraj,’ Gulf News, May 22). I am sure a lot of people would appreciate and bring their children to learn more about the event.

From Mr Ahmad

Sharjah

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Doing your part

Each of us has the power to cut down on the use of plastics and instead use material like aluminium foil for wrapping up food (‘Dubai’s Al Ghusais garbage dump will reach maximum capacity in 8 years,’ Gulf News, May 22). Not only is this a recyclable, it’s a cheaper and more eco-friendly option. Always carry a cloth bag with you and use stainless steel drinking bottles. Every little bit helps.

From Ms Charlotte Hamadache

Leicester, United Kingdom

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Time to end

Al Ghusais landfill must now completely stop, as it comes within the city’s proximity, where people cannot live due to the bad odour. It was good enough when it was operating during 1980s, but this and the heavy traffic situation in and out of Sharjah will only force people to move further away from Dubai.

From Mr Tommy

Dubai

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Recycle everything

I am still wondering why we have not begun full-fledged recycling in Dubai. I was in Switzerland last year and was impressed with the fact that supermarkets don’t give plastic bags anymore. Every single resident should recycle everything possible.

From Mr Diego Alencar

Dubai

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Recycling innovation?

This could be an untapped industry. This is an investment opportunity to make money, build recycling companies, hire people and sell recycled products.

From Ms Myriam Fakhr Al Deen

Dubai

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Difficult to access

An issue is that finding recycling points — especially for glass and cardboard — is far from easy and you have to work hard to seek them out. It should be a requirement for all residential tower blocks to have a recycling point in the basement.

From Mr Chris

Dubai

Full name withheld by request

Resident and authority action

A large recycling factory outside Dubai, perhaps in the desert, would fix this problem. Not only must people participate by recycling their own garbage, I think it would be better if the authorities prohibited using plastic bags completely.

From Mr Khalid Mahmoud

Khor Fakkan

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